Haunted Days Out

The many old houses, castles and abbeys that the National Trust cares for are full of things to look at. But, at a number of our houses, you might also get to see a little bit more than you bargained for.

Several properties are rumoured to be happy hunting grounds for an assortment of spooks. Here are a few stories behind some of them.

A 700-year-old building with fine 16th-century great hall, associated with Elizabethan seafarers Drake and Grenville.
The ghost: Sir Francis Drake lived in glory as a national hero while he was alive, but his spirit is obviously not a happy one. Both he and some accompanying 'hell hounds' are rumoured to haunt his former home.

1. Home of Elizabethan seafarer Sir Francis Drake Explore 700 years of history through interactive displays
2. Secluded location in beautiful Tavy Valley Rumoured to be haunted by Drake and accompanying 'hell hounds'
3. Have a go at butter-making
Image: © NTPL / Nick Meers
View an aerial photo of Buckland Abbey

A Magnificent Jacobean house, garden and park.
The ghost: Listen out for the dying groans of Sir Henry Hobart who haunts Blickling after the wounds he received during a duel proved fatal. Or witness Anne Boleyn's unhappy ghost wandering the grounds which are sited on the medieval manor where she lived.

1. Famed for its long gallery, fine tapestries, paintings and rare books
2. Parkland and lakeside walks, with a sunken garden to discover
3. Excellent wedding and conference venue
4. Home to the headless ghost of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second queen
Image: © NTPL / Andrew Butler
View an aerial photo of Blickling Hall

A medieval house with superb collections of textiles, armour and furniture, set in extensive grounds.
The ghost: Sitting high on a hill above the River Tamar for over 500 years, it's not surprising that among its dark, stone-built rooms, hazy figures are sometimes seen, along with the sound of music and a strange herbal smell.

1. Riverside gardens with great seasonal variety Ghostly goings on: hazy figures, music and a strange herbal smell.
2. Film location for 'Twelfth Night' (1996)
3. Take a boat trip on the River Tamar from Cotehele Quay
Image: © NTPL / George Wright
View an aerial photo of Cotehele

An atmospheric 17th-century manor house with oak-framed barns.
The ghosts: Will you encounter a woman in white, the lady of the manor drowned in the ground's fish pool? Or perhaps the Grey Lady, reputed to have been shut up in her room to starve to death by her husband after having been discovered with a lover.

1. 17th-century manor house with an intimate and atmospheric interior
2. Fascinating associations with Yorkshire's Civil War past
3. Home to the celebrated Airedale Heiffer Playground
4. Charming country garden, grass maze and duck pond Film location for 'Wuthering Heights' (1992)
Image: © NTPL / Matthew Antrobus
View an aerial photo of East Riddlesden Hall

A spectacular 17th-century house with original interiors.
The ghost: Elizabeth, Duchess of Lauderdale, a renowned political schemer during the 1670s is said to linger in Ham's lavish rooms and passageways accompanied by her dog - a King Charles Spaniel. Perhaps she simply can't bear to leave the Carolean masterpiece that she created.

1. Fine Stuart mansion on the banks of the River Thames
2. Lavish 17th century interiors with important collections of textiles, furniture and paintings
3. Formal gardens with famous lavender parterres known as the Cherry Garden and maze-like wilderness
4. Fascinating association with Civil War politics and Restoration court intrigue
5. Reputedly one of the most haunted houses in Britain
Image: © David Watson
View an aerial view of Ham House

One of Lancashire's finest 16th-century buildings.
The ghosts: Discover the ghost of the lady in grey, the most frequent of the three apparitions at Rufford Old Hall. Elizabeth Hesketh became ill while her husband was at war overseas. She vowed she would not leave this world without saying goodbye to her dear husband, who never returned.

1. Spectacular Great Hall with intricately carved wooden screen and hammer-beam roof
2. A young Shakespeare is said to have performed in the Great Hall
3. Arms and armour collection of national importance
4. Variety of topiary displays and garden trails
Image: © NTPL / Matthew Antrobus
View aerial photos of Rufford Old Hall

Experience an evening in a haunted hotel, plus read Tiscali members real ghost stories.

 

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